Clubs are also being blamed by the council for 'taking advantage' of the arrival of new students to promote special events with promotions.

A flyer on North Hill promoting a Motorhead tribute act night at The Hub

Mr Johnston said: "The sad truth is that for a number of years Plymouth City Council seem to have had little regard to the value a thriving music scene plays in the overall culture of a city.

"Whether that be by proposing the demolition of existing venues without making any contact with them first, as they have with ourselves and the White Rabbit, thus causing huge uncertainty which is so damaging for music venues, or in actions like the gradual removal of the Plymouth City Council advertising space for music promoters.

"The council remove these legitimate advertising spaces, and then seem surprised that there is a resulting increase in flypostering!

"It’s a direct result of the council’s own actions of removing the legitimate advertising space.